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Gorakshpeethadhiswar and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that India’s Sanatan rishi and guru traditions were fundamentally oriented towards public and national welfare.
“These traditions inspire us to dedicate every action and moment to the Sanatan values, society and the nation. By doing so, we honour the guru tradition. The Gorakshapeeth, too, upholds this guru tradition, working tirelessly for the betterment of the public and the nation,” he said while addressing the closing session of the Shri Ram Katha and Guru Purnima Mahotsav held at Digvijaynath Smriti Bhavan since July 15.
After offering flowers at the portraits of the late mahants of Gorakshpeeth, Digvijaynathji  Maharaj and Avaidyanathji Maharaj, and worshipping the Vyaspeeth, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remarked that in Sanatan culture, the tradition of gotra is closely linked with the ‘rishi’.  
“The concept of gotra transcends caste distinctions as each gotra is associated with a specific rishi who embodies a tradition free from caste discrimination. Followers of various castes adhere to the gotra of a single rishi,” he pointed out. 
The chief minister emphasised that Indian culture is the most ancient and flourishing in the world, with Sanatan festivals serving as a testament to this rich heritage. These festivals link India and its followers of Sanatan Dharma to a deep historical continuum, he added.
Chief Minister Yogi stated that Guru Purnima, also known as Vyas Purnima, marks the birth anniversary of Maharishi Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa who gifted humanity with Vedic literature.
Maharishi Vyas provided the Vedas, Puranas, and numerous other crucial scriptures. He lived about 5,000 years ago, and his works spanned multiple generations, crafting texts that continue to guide the present generation. No other culture in the world boasts a 5,000-year history like India’s. Currently, the country stands at the meeting point of Dwapar and Kali Yuga, Yogi pointed out.
Following the Mahabharata war, Maharishi Vyas composed the Shrimad Bhagwat Purana, a revered text that inspires the pursuit of liberation and salvation, he added.
Gorakshapeethadhiswar Yogi Adityanath emphasised that parents are the primary gurus, followed by school teachers, priest-kulgurus, elder siblings, and the tradition of rishi-saints and gotras, all integral to the guru tradition.
“This tradition aims to guide individuals along the right path, with parents, elder siblings, priests, saints, and sages serving as key supporters. The results of our actions reflect their nature: good actions lead to positive outcomes, while wrong actions result in consequences,” he added.
He also recounted the story of Maharishi Valmiki before his transformation into a saint, illustrating that no one desires the repercussions of wrongful deeds.
Chief Minister Yogi highlighted that Lord Shri Ram emphasised dignity in life, setting boundaries for behaviour and teaching respectful relationships. Similarly, he said, Lord Krishna inspired selfless action, advising people to perform duties without concern for outcomes.
“Our scriptures and the guru tradition reinforce the principle  'Avashyameva bhoktavyam kritam karma shubhashubham', meaning that one will inevitably experience the results of one’s actions, whether good or bad,” the chief minister remarked further.
Chief Minister Yogi stated that a faithful guru guides us towards the right path. “In life, the value lies not in material wealth but in the prosperity gained through righteous efforts that benefit the public. Prosperity achieved through unethical means is tainted by sin, while acts of kindness and compassion towards others bring virtuous rewards. The role of a guru is to illuminate the path by distinguishing between right and wrong,” he asserted.
The chief minister remarked that humanity is considered the highest creation in the universe. “We must validate this belief through our actions. Our scriptures and rishi tradition emphasise this responsibility, urging us to align our actions with society, nation and religious principles. By adhering to the rishi tradition and the teachings of divine personalities, our work naturally benefits ourselves and our families,” he said.